Shoes: Hot trend is spikeless

Shoes: Hot trend is spikeless

Shoes: Hot trend is spikeless

Such is the popularity and influence of Fred Couples that he alone, representing shoe manufacturer Ecco, appears to be responsible for the resurrection of the spikeless golf shoe category.

Couples and the new Ecco Golf Street Premier shoe have created worldwide interest in shoes with rubber-like ridges or traction bars on the bottom. These high-endurance outsoles are designed to be worn on and off the course.

Couples maintains that wearing the shoes can help golfers concentrate on proper balance during the golf swing. “You don’t go out there, dig your spikes in the ground, and swing as hard as you can,” he said.

Over the years, there have been various attempts at spikeless shoes. By far, the most successful was made by FootJoy and was called the “teaching shoe” by most golfers. Today, that shoe is named the FootJoy Professional Spikeless.

Each of the shoes below has a textured sole instead of spikes.

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FootJoy Professional Spikeless

The skinny: Made of calfskin, this stylish shoe has DuraMax rubber outsoles and comes with a two-year waterproof warranty. Offered in five color combinations.

Cost: $160

Available: Immediate

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Ecco Golf Street Premier

The skinny: Looks more like a casual tennis shoe than a golf shoe. The bars on the bottom are made of the same long-wearing urethane that is on the cover of premium golf balls. Leather uppers, available in black with red soles, dark brown with orange soles, and white with green soles.

Cost: $140

Available: Immediate (although back orders exist because of high demand)

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Callaway Tour Authentic Exotic Chev Teaching

The skinny: Sold in black and dark brown, the Chev Teaching shoe comes with a two-year waterproof warranty. Callaway’s Xtra Width Technology Adjustable Fit system allows each golfer to achieve a custom fit by adding or removing forefoot layers from the insole.

Cost: $189.99

Available: Immediate

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Nike Tour Premium Teaching

The skinny: This leather shoe comes with a two-year waterproof warranty. Includes Zoom Air cushioning for comfort and balance. Available in two color schemes – black/gunmetal and white/bronze/dark cinder.